Caprese Salad my way…

 Let’s get something straight, salad is for girls. What I mean to say is ordinarily salad isn’t something I would get exited enough to write about (the  word salad conjures up dodgy visuals of pale shredded iceberg lettuce served in a chilled bowl with a little fork) but this one is different. I prefer to think of Caprese salad as a celebration of good produce rather than a salad. It is simple, flavorful healthy & above all else, exiting! I made mine big enough to feed 3 & then consumed it all on my lonesome without any guilt whatsoever.

Use the best quality ingredients you can find & afford, your mouth will thank you.

 Caprese Salad

• 3 Large sweet smelling tomatoes (use whatever variety you prefer)
• 3 Bocconcini (or any mozzarella, I am curious to try a smoked variety with this soon)
• 1 bunch of basil
• Extra virgin olive oil
•  Vinna cotto (you could also use a balsamic vinegar but I prefer the sweetness of vinna cotto)
• Flaked sea salt
• Black pepper
• Ciabatta (as much as you like, I obtained an individual Ciabatta from the markets that morning)
• I Clove of garlic
• 1 Tablespoon of melted butter
• Micro Herbs to garnish (optional)

Slice the tomatoes & bocconcini, you want the bocconcini as thin as you can get it. Arrange alternating layers of Tomato, basil leaves & bocconcini on a serving plate. Generously sprinkle the salad with olive oil, vinna cotto, salt flakes & cracked black pepper. Set aside to let the flavours mingle. Melt your butter in the microwave for about 15 seconds & add a splash of olive oil. Heat a griddle pan over high heat, cut your Ciabatta in half or slices & brush generously with butter/oil mixture. Grill the bread cut side down, once bread is nicely toasted cut the garlic clove in half & rub across the hot bread. Garnish with micro herbs & serve your salad with bread  & a big smile.

Whoops! You can see my shadow!

Look at all that yummy freshness mingling